This community opinion was contributed by Judy Gansen. The opinions expressed do not necessarily represent BenitoLink or other affiliated contributors. BenitoLink invites all community members to share their ideas and opinions. By registering as a BenitoLink user in the top right corner of our home page and agreeing to follow our Terms of Use, you can write counter opinions or share your insights on current issues.
Lea este articulo en español aquí.
I lived in Hollister for 35 years (1971-2006). We loved it there but left because it was being turned into a bedroom community for San Jose. The housing developers were taking over. My son still lives there so I visit often. As I was leaving Hollister on Sunday, I was looking at the beautiful Diablo Range. I started to wonder who owned it.
My concern was that the developers are already contacting the owners to try to buy the land to build more houses – like in San Jose. When I got home, I Googled “who owns the Diablo Range in San Benito County” and found the group “Save Mount Diablo.”
They are trying to save all the open spaces in the Diablo Range from development. They are backing the ballot measure, “Empower Voters to Make Land Use Decisions Initiative.”
In a recent article in BenitoLink about this measure, Bill Tiffany referred to this group as “outsiders” who are trying to influence San Benito County’s directions. This group is trying to help save the beauty that is left in San Benito County’s rural areas.
This ballot initiative would give the land use decisions to the voters rather than the San Benito County Planning Commission. The voters of San Benito County need to be able to determine the county’s future, not the government bodies that are only looking at the almighty dollar. Even though I no longer live there, Hollister will always be my home.
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